Biblica / International Bible Society 
The information on this page was last updated 9/12/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Biblica is a global Bible ministry inspired by radical generosity. We are motivated by the belief that God's Word radically changes lives, and that everyone everywhere deserves to experience its truth for themselves. To that end, we pioneer ways to break down barriers to the Bible, doing whatever it takes to activate Scripture where needed most.
Now in its third century of ministry, Biblica continues to produce relevant, reliable Scripture translations and innovative resources that power the Bible ministry of hundreds of global mission organizations. Together, we invite millions to discover the love of Jesus Christ through our three core pillars of ministry:
Gateway Translation
We translate God's Word for the world's most strategic languages, catalyzing greater reach to Bibleless language communities.
Frontline Church
We equip the frontlines of Gospel ministry with Scripture resources that serve the unreached, unengaged, and unseen.
Kids in Crisis
We develop and deploy Bible programs that bring the love of Jesus to children and youth in the world's hardest places.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Biblica, Inc
300 General Palmer Dr #4
Palmer Lake, CO 80133-1871
Website: www.biblica.com
Phone: (719) 488-9200
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 841194554
CEO/President: Geof Morin
Chairman: Michael Fitch
Board size: 11
Founder: Theodorus Van Wyck, et al
Ruling year: 1994
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1980
Purpose
Success for Biblica is alleviating Gospel poverty wherever it is found. To do this, we create critical access to God's Word, focusing especially on the world's least-reached places, so that millions of overlooked and underserved people experience an abundant life with Jesus.
Mission statement
To provide the Bible in accurate, contemporary translations and formats so that more people around the world will have the opportunity to be transformed by Jesus Christ.
Statement of faith
We Believe...
In one God, eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
In the absolute deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His substitutionary and atoning death for all through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead;
In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is empowered to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ;
In the divine inspiration of all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as originally given, guaranteeing their infallibility, entire trustworthiness, and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct;
That all people are sinners and cannot save themselves. Salvation is received as a free gift of God's grace, apart from works, through repentance and personal faith in the redemptive work of Christ and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit;
In the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the eternal blessedness of the saved, and the eternal punishment of the lost;
In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ who are thus members of His Body, the Church, whose work is the worship of God, perfecting the saints, and evangelization of the world.
Core Values
Generous - We give all we can to achieve all God wants.
Impact-driven - We love seeing lives changed by God's Word.
Faithful - We relentlessly follow Christ.
Trailblazing - We break down barriers to the Bible.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Bible Translation Organizations
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 681 of 1106 | 10 of 16 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 900 of 1107 | 13 of 16 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 630 of 1107 | 12 of 16 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 346 of 1106 | 5 of 16 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 13% | 15% | 16% | 13% | 16% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 10% | 12% | 9% | 8% | 9% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 78% | 76% | 58% | 61% | 58% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 9% | 9% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 22% | 24% | 42% | 39% | 42% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 81% | 81% | 80% | 77% | 76% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 88% | 105% | 95% | 91% | 106% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 71% | 85% | 76% | 70% | 81% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 12% | -5% | 5% | 9% | -6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 11% | 35% | -12% | 10% | 20% | -16% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 7% | 8% | 11% | 14% | 15% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.96 | 1.86 | 1.58 | 1.32 | 1.23 | 1.60 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.23 | 1.33 | 1.50 | 1.35 | 1.48 | 1.56 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.92 | 2.47 | 2.38 | 1.79 | 1.83 | 2.49 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.04 | 5.43 | 4.32 | 3.96 | 4.94 | 3.53 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.18 | 0.23 | 0.25 | 0.20 | 0.28 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.49 | 3.96 | 3.87 | 5.01 | 5.24 | 3.45 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 15% | 25% | 40% | 37% | 37% | 45% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 10% | 16% | 17% | 22% | 26% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 80% | 40% | 38% | 48% | 51% | 34% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Cash | $4,008,199 | $1,981,524 | $2,939,309 | $3,075,610 | $2,648,161 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,578,863 | $2,815,283 | $2,775,237 | $2,293,199 | $2,407,127 |
| Short-term investments | $2,184,702 | $2,138,730 | $2,473,554 | $1,339,194 | $812,653 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $9,771,764 | $6,935,537 | $8,188,100 | $6,708,003 | $5,867,941 |
| Long-term investments | $250,312 | $304,543 | $302,514 | $532,819 | $531,003 |
| Fixed assets | $2,834,237 | $3,098,672 | $2,505,331 | $2,595,504 | $2,666,294 |
| Other long-term assets | $92,664 | $90,897 | $88,864 | $86,661 | $81,536 |
| Total long-term assets | $3,177,213 | $3,494,112 | $2,896,709 | $3,214,984 | $3,278,833 |
| Total assets | $12,948,977 | $10,429,649 | $11,084,809 | $9,922,987 | $9,146,774 |
| Liabilities | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,722,666 | $1,323,700 | $1,442,594 | $838,714 | $1,128,050 |
| Other current liabilities | $78,286 | $282,070 | $623,511 | $519,652 | $535,929 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,800,952 | $1,605,770 | $2,066,105 | $1,358,366 | $1,663,979 |
| Debt | $1,328,272 | $1,696,085 | $1,928,604 | $2,166,141 | $2,400,359 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $122,209 | $870,789 | $93,845 | $101,421 | $69,736 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,450,481 | $2,566,874 | $2,022,449 | $2,267,562 | $2,470,095 |
| Total liabilities | $3,251,433 | $4,172,644 | $4,088,554 | $3,625,928 | $4,134,074 |
| Net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Without donor restrictions | $6,078,485 | $2,328,501 | $3,377,196 | $3,725,684 | $3,465,137 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,619,059 | $3,928,504 | $3,619,059 | $2,571,375 | $1,547,563 |
| Net assets | $9,697,544 | $6,257,005 | $6,996,255 | $6,297,059 | $5,012,700 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Total contributions | $21,446,885 | $11,969,516 | $8,850,924 | $8,278,771 | $8,046,639 |
| Program service revenue | $5,762,219 | $4,484,602 | $6,144,230 | $4,733,784 | $5,347,016 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $57,244 | $62,643 | $285,991 | $25,922 | $23,730 |
| Other revenue | $319,792 | ($731,245) | $85,475 | $498,114 | $369,483 |
| Total other revenue | $6,139,255 | $3,816,000 | $6,515,696 | $5,257,820 | $5,740,229 |
| Total revenue | $27,586,140 | $15,785,516 | $15,366,620 | $13,536,591 | $13,786,868 |
| Expenses | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Program services | $19,634,334 | $13,374,731 | $11,663,472 | $9,427,260 | $11,118,062 |
| Management and general | $1,758,199 | $1,302,396 | $1,549,743 | $1,737,949 | $2,184,129 |
| Fundraising | $2,753,068 | $1,847,639 | $1,454,209 | $1,087,023 | $1,307,898 |
| Total expenses | $24,145,601 | $16,524,766 | $14,667,424 | $12,252,232 | $14,610,089 |
| Change in net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,440,539 | ($739,250) | $699,196 | $1,284,359 | ($823,221) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $3,440,539 | ($739,250) | $699,196 | $1,284,359 | ($823,221) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Geof Morin | CEO | $297,013 |
| Bruce Trowbridge | CFO & Treasurer | $185,267 |
| Stephen Cave | SVP-Translation | $177,320 |
| Mark Finzel | VP of Digital Innovation | $172,841 |
| Tracy Thomas | SVP-Advancement & Asst Secretary | $171,878 |
| Aaron LeClaire | SVP - Impact | $170,456 |
| Laura Fisher | SVP - Mobilization | $168,548 |
| Esteban Fernandez | Latin Ministry Director | $154,220 |
| Jonathan Call | VP of Translation and Publishing | $143,091 |
| Richard Loh | Sr. Ministry Director - EAP | $142,740 |
| Blake Silverstrom | VP of Marketing | $128,304 |
| Dennis Wry | Senior Director of Development | $106,917 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2021
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/12/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Biblica is a global Bible ministry, releasing the world's most widely read Scriptures for maximum Gospel impact. Now in its third century of mission, Biblica continues to produce relevant and reliable Scripture translations and innovative resources that power the Bible ministry of hundreds of global mission organizations and invite millions to discover the love of Jesus Christ.
Biblica has a rich and amazing history. In 1809, a group of Christians gathered in New York's Lower Manhattan neighborhood to discuss the city's spiritual needs. Among them was Henry Rutgers (Rutgers University). Together, they formed the New York Bible Society (NYBS). The NYBS began by sharing God's Word with the residents of the city as well as immigrants, sailors and soldiers as they passed through New York. In 1810, the Society funded its first translation: William Carey's Bengali Bible translation in India. Two years later, the NYBS began its ministry to the military, and in 1815 they began ministry to prison inmates. Both of these ministries have continued to the present day. When Ellis Island opened in 1892, the Society continued providing Bibles to the flood of immigrants entering the country.
Members of NYBS went door to door throughout New York City to make sure everyone had the opportunity to hear about Christ and have a copy of the Bible in their language. Over the course of the next two centuries, the NYBS began placing Bibles in hotel rooms, providing Bibles for hospital patients, and providing braille Bibles for the blind.
During the 1950s, the Society became the publishing sponsor of the New International Version of the Bible. When it was completed in 1973, the NIV quickly became the best-selling contemporary English translation of all time. In 1988, the NYBS changed its name to the International Bible Society to better reflect its new and widening scope of ministry. In the last quarter of the 20th century, the International Bible Society translated God's Word into dozens of the world's most-spoken languages.
In 2009, the International Bible Society changed its name to Biblica. Today, Biblica partners with like-minded organizations to minister God's Word in 55 countries. Biblica's global ministry continues to include Bible translation, access, and engagement programs, and the key strategies are Gateway Translation, Frontline Church, and Rising Generations.
Program accomplishments
Helping equip the global church to engage with God's Word, in 2018, we surpassed 2 million total children reached with the Gospel through our Reach4Life New Testament program. We released the Reach4Life youth discipleship New Testament in South Africa in 2004 in response to the AIDs crisis. Since then the peer education program is in over 30 countries across the globe spanning 5 continents.